MUCC Files Suit Against Natural Resources Commission

On March 28, the nation’s largest statewide conservation organization filed suit against the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), challenging the three-month closure of the coyote hunting season.

At the March NRC, the commission, in a 4-2 vote, voted to close the coyote hunting season from April 16 through July 14 through the adoption of Wildlife Conservation Order #1 of 2024. Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) testified in opposition to the closure.

MUCC filed in Ingham County, arguing that the commission unlawfully closed Michigan’s coyote season, violating their responsibility and legal charge. The Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers (MTPCA) has also filed a lawsuit against the commission in Mackinac County.

The groups argue that the NRC relied on unsubstantiated claims of negative public perception and perceived potential loss of management control, said MUCC Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter.

“The record is unambiguous: The commission has not heard or cited any scientific literature or rationale justifying the closure,” Trotter said. “Meanwhile, there were hours of public testimony on the practical benefits of coyote hunting during the spring season, while being reinforced with cited literature.” Read more

Forest Legacy Program helps ensure the future of forests; nominations due May 3rd 

Aerial view of a lake and forested landscapeHow are forest lands in Michigan protected for the future?

Michigan’s Forest Legacy Program offers several paths. This program provides funding to purchase or secure conservation easements on environmentally important forest lands to ensure they will be enjoyed by our next generations.

The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“The Forest Legacy Program protects forest lands so they will provide the benefits of forests forever,” said Kerry Heckman, forest land administrator for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “Forests are critical for the renewable forest products we use every day, clean air and water and the places we love to hunt, hike and fish.”

Have a parcel that could benefit from Forest Legacy Program protection? Nomination applications for the nationally competitive program are due . Read more

DNR announces field trial for the study of vaccinating deer against bovine tuberculosis

view of the head and torso of a healthy, mature white-tailed deer standing in the forest, a few narrow trees directly behind itA field study is underway in Alpena County to evaluate the delivery of an oral bovine tuberculosis (bTB) vaccine for wild deer. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is collaborating with Michigan State University (MSU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) to explore the development of a new, future tool to manage bTB, which could help to further protect wildlife, livestock and the public from this disease.

“We are very excited to explore a potential new tool that can facilitate efforts towards the long-term goal of bTB eradication in Michigan,” said Melinda Cosgrove, Laboratory Scientist Manager with the DNR. Read more

Michigan Government Land: Keep or Sell?

lush green wetlands spread out against a backdrop of tall, deep-green pine trees and a bright blue skyDNR’s nearly four-year intensive land review effort recently completed

By SARAH LAPSHAN
Senior Communications Advisor
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Three and a half years, nearly 9,800 individual parcels and more than 167,000 total acres comprehensively evaluated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources – it’s all part of the DNR’s agencywide state land review process that concluded in February with approval of the final group of staff recommendations on which parcels to keep, swap or sell.

It was a massive undertaking prompted by Michigan’s Managed Public Land Strategy (initially developed in 2013), which directs the DNR to evaluate how well the lands under its care contribute to the department’s mission.

The review focused on two basic types of parcels: those that are either 200 acres or smaller in size or those irregularly shaped with a significant shared private-public boundary that makes them difficult to manage.

Just how much land are we talking about? Read more

Michigan’s MUCC Takes On the NRC

The commission relied on unsubstantiated claims of negative public perception, social pressures and perceived potential loss of management control.

After reviewing the options, MUCC’s executive board authorized legal action against the commission and filed suit against the NRC.

You can view a press release on the filing HERE.

MUCC was founded on the belief that game management decisions be insulated from social and political pressures to the greatest extent possible. Michigan voters agreed, passing Proposal G overwhelmingly in 1996.

MUCC believes the commission illegally closed Michigan’s coyote season in violation of their responsibility and legal charge to “the greatest extent practicable, utilize principles of sound scientific management in making decisions regarding the taking of game.”

The process is expected to take months to complete, and we can only succeed with your help.

Conservationists of Michigan can strengthen our fight in the following ways:

  • If you are a member of an MUCC affiliate club, consider joining as an individual member. Having a direct link to MUCC will ensure you stay up to date with the suit, show you truly care about Michigan’s natural resources, and lend your voice to the largest and most successful statewide conservation organization in the country.

 

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  • Donate. Whether you are a Life Member, Individual Member, or affiliate club member, we need your support. MUCC’s mission thrives with contributions from Michigan’s outdoor community. Our organization survives on $20 and $50 donations from everyday Michigan sportsmen and sportswomen. Making a difference is as easy as supporting MUCC!

 

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Litigation is not a tactic MUCC uses frivolously, and our membership and hunters and trappers across Michigan have asked us to stand up and fight for this issue.

Together, we will fight for the principles of sound scientific management. Together, we will ensure our children will have the same opportunities we did. Together, we can preserve Michigan’s outdoor heritage. Joindonate, and share.

Yours in conservation,

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Amy Trotter, Chief Executive Officer

Grizzly Bear Euthanized Due to Cattle Depredation in Teton County

A grizzly bear was euthanized Monday after a cattle depredation on private land along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks had previously captured and radio collared the young adult male bear weighing 375 pounds near Simms earlier this month, and it was relocated at that time by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). Considering this, and in consultation with the USFWS, the bear was euthanized by U.S.D.A. Wildlife Services on March 25. Read more

Michigan: Easter Closure at DNR Shooting Ranges, Seasonal Ranges Reopening

Easter closure at DNR shooting ranges, seasonal ranges set to reopen

The Department of Natural Resources Ortonville, Pontiac Lake, Rose Lake and Sharonville shooting ranges will be closed for the Easter holiday Sunday, March 31. The ranges will reopen Monday, April 1.

The DNR Dansville Shooting Range is scheduled to reopen for the season April 12, weather permitting. The Barry, Echo Point, Skoglund-Erickson and Supply Road ranges are expected to reopen April 15, and the Lapeer range is expected to reopen May 2.

DNR shooting ranges ?

Christensen Arms’ Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire Now Shipping

GUNNISON, Utah — Christensen Arms, renowned for its innovation and production of precision rifles, is now shipping the new Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire to retailers nationwide.

A list of authorized Christensen Arms retailers can be found online at christensenarms.com.

“The Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire embodies two things for which Christensen Arms has become synonymous: accuracy and carbon-fiber technology,” said Christensen Arms Executive Vice President of Marketing Willie Vernon. “This tack-driving rifle packs an incredible number of performance-driven, shooter-friendly features into a compact design thanks to its folding stock, so it’s perfect for tossing into a range bag or strapping to your backpack. This is going to be your new favorite rimfire, hands down.”

With a design based on the popular chassis-style Modern Precision Rifle centerfire rifle, the Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire, which made its debut at SHOT Show 2024, is equipped with a carbon-tension barrel to be extremely accurate, rigid and lightweight. Accuracy is the cornerstone of the new Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire, which comes with Christensen Arms’ guarantee to shoot three-shot, sub-MOA groups at 50 yards. Equipped with a side-folding, magnetically secured stock for easy storage and transport, the Modern Precision Rifle Rimfire delivers a Triggertech Trigger, a lightweight aluminum chassis, an FFT carbon fiber handguard with M-LOK™, as well as an adjustable FFT carbon fiber cheek piece and 6 QD flush cup mounts. Read more

DU’s season in review offers an in-depth look at the 2023-24 waterfowl season

Ducks Unlimited proudly presents its 2023-24 Season in Review, a comprehensive analysis of waterfowling across the United States, focusing on a year marked by unique environmental challenges and conservation efforts.

The report offers a detailed overview of the environmental challenges and achievements encountered over the season, enriched by insights into specific phenomena such as El Niño and its implications for waterfowl habitats.

The 2023-24 waterfowl hunting season faced unparalleled challenges, marked by adverse weather conditions and ecological stresses. Despite an initial improvement in breeding conditions over 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (BPOP) revealed a troubling 7% decline in total duck populations across the Traditional Survey Area, indicating the most significant drop in nearly 15 years. Read more

NSSF Celebrates Kentucky Second Amendment Privacy Act Passing into Law

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, celebrates Kentucky House Bill 357, informally called the Second Amendment Privacy Act, passing into law. This NSSF-supported law protects the privacy and sensitive financial information of people purchasing firearms and ammunition in Kentucky. The law was passed with an overwhelming majority by the Commonwealth’s General Assembly.

The law prohibits financial institutions from requiring the use of a firearm code, also known as a Merchant Category Code (MCC), from being assigned to designate firearm and ammunition purchases at retail when using a credit card. The law also forbids discriminating against a firearm retailer as a result of the assigned or non-assignment of a firearm code and disclosing protected financial information. Additionally, the law prohibits keeping or causing to be kept any list, record or registry of private firearm ownership. The law was sponsored by Kentucky state Reps. Derek Lewis and Michael Meredith, as well as state Sen. Jason Howell. Read more

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